Thursday, 15 October 2009

October?

Well, first I must explain that I wanted to write this post yesterday but had a bit of a hiccup with Blogger. I won't go into it, it's very boring. However, the point is that yesterday was the most stunningly gorgeous day here in London and this post was conceived in that spirit, in a "It can't possibly be Autumn in October" spirit, so let's just pretend shall we, that's it's still yesterday?

So here we are, looking at this photo you'd be forgiven for thinking it's the height of Summer, not 15 October!

I realise it's slightly strange holding a glass, albeit a rather fetching one, up to the sun but bear with me, please.

I sort of struggle with this time of year and for the next few months really. I am very much a fair weather girl and I love the sun and the brightness Spring and Summer brings. I also love all things pink and flowery (you'd noticed?) and I get very disappointed with the magazines at this time of year with all their orangey browny Autumnal themes. Bring back May and June, I say, magazine covers ablaze with roses! I had resigned myself to getting excited about cyclamen and pansies, even the asters and dahlias are nearly finished.

With the changing of the season comes the changing of many habits. My breakfast of late has turned from the Summer habitual cereal of choice, raisin "Oats 'n' More" with sliced banana and rice milk, to a more bolstering porridge.

But the last few days have surprised me. I've found much to please me amidst the shortening days of October. Funnily enough, my "Autumn/Winter breakfast" struck me as looking rather pretty and was consumed at the table in my den, as it usually is, with the sunshine streaming through the window. Not very Autumnal at all. Yummy just the same.

As it was so gorgeous outside, I ventured into the garden to peg out the washing (another endangered activity at this time of year, there's nothing like drying your sheets on the line, is there?) And what do you know, there amongst the tangled jungle of weeds and withering Summer flowering perennials, blooming away were the most divinely beautiful roses. There seemed little point in leaving them outside where they wouldn't be admired so snip, snip and in they came.

The roses for some reason reminded me that I recently bought this...

Yes, obviously I bought it for the name alone! In fact, I can remember buying it, on the way back from Donna's open house sale, in a little village called South Molton, which another friend, Kathy, had suggested we visit. (Hello Kathy!)

Have you ever seen such a pretty drink?

And here we go again. Oh yes, I'm going to jolly well make the most of pretending it's still Summer!

It's fabulously fizzy!

Now I'd like to tell you that it tasted great but to a hardened still water drinker, I really could not bring myself to like the taste of it. But it looks good so I'll settle for that!

There's no denying the beauty of the roses though, is there? This one is my all time fave, "Jubilee Celebration" from David Austin roses. It has a gorgeous scent too.

This one is a "survivor" and was planted likely long before we arrived here.

On the patio, there's another reason to be cheerful. The second of the dahlias I bought at Sarah Raven's garden has started flowering.

Although it's lovely outside, there are things I want to get on with in the den. I write to my sister and send her a few bits of fabric from Donna's sale... and have fun decorating the envelope, as we do!

And there's been a spot of sewing, of course.

A few pretty linen covered notebooks with a patchwork stripe of gorgeous 1930's inspired fabrics, topped off with some luscious velvety ribbon.

And now my friends, I must sign off for a while as later on, we are whizzing off on a little adventure for a week and so there is much to do beforehand. See you in a while (crocodile). Sorry, couldn't resist!

36 comments:

Hen that was a lovely summery blog. I love the autumn, but do struggle with Feb when it is so cold and damp. January here is usually bright and crisp - I'll pay for saying that! David Austen roses are just the best aren't they? Have a lovely time away x

Hi Hen! You won't believe but in London it's warmer than here! We had 5°C this morning!!! Bbbbrrr!And I'm very jealous of your lovely flowers!Have a fantastic holiday and please, pass my birthday wishes to the Munchkin (I'm not sure of the date..maybe is it tomorrow?!)!

Lots to take in - yes, yesterday was a glorious day for weather in London wasn't it? I went for a walk at lunch and I hit myself for not taking my camera as the sunlight made everything look so beautiful...

Loving the notepads and the flowers...Jacky also looks like he is very much enjoying the sunshine!xxx

I have to say I'm the opposite and much prefer this time of year than Summer! I can't bare the heat and much prefer being cosy and snuggly but we have been blessed with some sunshine through the wind which has maybe made it every more enjoyable.

I hope that you enjoy your little adventure!Your breakfast looks so yummy that it is making me hunry (even though I have just come back from Stamford having consummed a delicious iced lemon tray bake cake that was my lunch and dinner (I wanted a slightly more healthy Fat Charlie but they hadn't made any today)) x

I like Autumn..BUT only when the sun is out and has a golden glow to it. The leaves & countryside look pretty then. A drizzly cloudy day puts me right off autumn though...What a shame about that rose lemonade, it sounded so appealing at first.Have a lovely time, enjoy your time off.Take careIsabelle x

Oh what a light a frothy (like said lemonade) summery post, It cheered me. And yes, you are so right, there is nothing quite like the freshness of sheets, etc., which have been blown dry on the washing line!Suzie. xxx

I don't usually enjoy this time of year either. But, for some very odd reason, this year I'm finding it much easier to cope with. Maybe it's because the sun is still shining and although the garden is looking rather autumnal the weather is still warm and gentle - long may it continue.

What a cheery post. I've been saying all the same things about autumn to myself today. I like spring colours, and light and freshness and so the on-set of pre-winter gloom(and a cold!) has been making me feel quite dismal today, Thank you!

Hen, hope you have a wonderful time on your adventure! I'm so with you on the pretending it's still summer thing. Unfortunately there is absolutely no escaping Autumn here, AT ALL! I do feel like I've been press-ganged into Autumn, very much against my will. Very impressed with your dahlia! You must be guarding it against pests! And Roses! Aren't they nice. I mean in that they keep on flowering for us, so nice of them to be beautiful for us, isn't it?! Bon voyage, and look forward to your return.Love Vanessa xxx (do you mind if i knit)

its just gorgeous weather at the moment its so bizarre but very welcome after the rubbish summer we had! i cant remember the last time it was grey and rainy! love the notebooks very nice indeedy :-)enjoy your holiday even if it is a week early :-D see you later alligator ;-)Lesley x

I SO know how you feel about the denial of autumn - and it's so easy to do with such lovely sunny days. It's July really. Drinking rose lemonade and sniffing those roses helps keep the summery imagination going.

Oooh, is that South Molton in North Devon? That's my home town :) I love reading your blog and was so surprised to read the name, what a place to find fame! Not sure I'd like the taste of the lemonade either :S (Although I do like roses and lemonade separately).Lucy :)

I just love visiting you all the way from Texas! And that blog banner is its purples is resplendent! I need to get back to sewing. You inspire me every time! (And I love that kitty; photo in the sidebar is so sweet.)Brenda

I love fentimens orange sizzler...we have had lovely weather this weekend but could only see from the window as sweet p and I are onthe sofas under blankets nursing colds...love the note books...love and hugs H

Hi Hen, here in NZ, we woke to a frost, can.t believe it Labour weekend is planting time in NZ for the coming summer and though I,m bathed in sunshine now (it,s 10.00am Saturday morning) I think I,ll hold off planting the veges till next week. I love your blog and it is a pleasure that you allow me (us) in to your life. Barbara

Like you Autumn makes me feel a little sad. I try to be possitive though and use the dark and grey days for inside crafting knowing there is little I can do in the garden!LoveLynps those note books are gorgeous!

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About Me

Hello and thank you for visiting the HenHouse. I'm a stay-at-home thirty-something mum looking after Mr HenHouse and the Munchkin, aged 13 (going on 18). We also have a gorgeous and very spoiled ginger tom, Charlie Boy. Sadly we had to say goodbye to our two other furry boys this year. We have recently moved from the city to our dream home in the West Country. I have always loved vintage and have collections of eiderdowns, china and fabrics to name just a few. I love sewing and am an avid patchworker and quilter. As a family, we are dotty about the past and love the 1940s, often dressing up for re-enactment events. To fund my fabric habit, I sell handmade items in my Etsy shop. I'm pretty nutty about interiors, too and our homes have been featured in various magazines.